Chapter 6

The new year rolled around, and everyone was very busy with their studies. Severus and Hermione spent the evenings together eating dinner and then doing homework. She spent the days with Lily and the boys. One afternoon, Hermione and Remus were in the courtyard, studying on a bench, when something strange happened.

"Mione, what do you plan on doing after you leave Hogwarts?"

"I'm not really sure; what about you?"

"Well, there is plenty I want to do, but I don't think I will be able to."

She knew why, but here was her chance to warn him about his future. "Hmm. Well, if it's any consolation, you will make an excellent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher-"

Hermione felt suddenly sick. Her surroundings swirled past her. "REMUS?!" she tried to scream, but nothing came out of her mouth. She looked over to him; he was still looking down at his book and was turning his page very slowly. Then the spinning stopped. She was still sitting; nothing seemed different.

"So, what do you think?" he asked her.

"Um, I'm sorry, Remus, what were you saying?'

He looked up at her. "You okay? You looked flushed."

"Yes. I think I'm overdoing the studying."

"Oh. I said maybe I should continue my education at a Muggle University."

"Oh, that would be a good idea. I was thinking about doing that myself, but I'm not really sure yet. Remus, if you don't mind, I'm going to go lie down. I suddenly don't feel so good."

"All right, I'll walk up to the room with you. You really don't look well; maybe we should go see Madam Pomfrey."

"No, I just want to lie down right now. Oh, thanks." He had picked up her bag and was carrying it for her as they walked back inside the castle.

What the hell was that all about? She was lying on her bed looking up at the canopy. He was moving slowly, but I felt like I was moving at lightning speed. She reached inside her shirt and pulled out the gold chain that was hanging from her neck, looking at the small hour glass. She tried moving it forward, then backward, and nothing happened.I obviously went forward in time, but how and why?

"Hey, Mione. You okay? Remus told me you didn't look so good earlier," Lily said. She sat next to Hermione in the chair next to her bed.

"Yeah, I think I just got a taste of over-studying. Um, Lily, what do you plan on doing once you leave Hogwarts?"

"Oh. Well, honestly, James and I have been approached by the Ministry; we are going to be Unspeakables."

"And a year after you marry, you're going to have a son," Hermione said. Again, the room started spinning. Lily looked like she was frozen, except for her lips; they were moving very slowly. STOP!

This time when the spinning stopped, Hermione was very sick. She flung herself over her bed, on the opposite side of Lily, and threw up.

"MIONE!" Lily jumped from her chair and started vanishing Hermione's mess. She conjured a towel and handed it to her. Hermione took it and wiped her face.

"I think we need to take you to Madam Pomfrey--come on, get up."

"I'm fine."

"No, you're not, and it's my responsibility as Head Girl to make sure my housemates stay healthy."

Lily held out a hand and helped Hermione out of the bed. They walked silently to the hospital wing, Hermione frantically thinking of how she was going to explain her 'sickness.' Madam Pomfrey made her lie on the bed and take some potion to help calm her nerves and ushered Lily out of the back to Gryffindor Tower.

"I just had an upset stomach, that's all."

"Well, I can't find anything wrong with you, so just relax for a little longer and let the potion take effect," Madam Pomfrey said after performing a few diagnostic spells over Hermione's body.

As soon as she left Hermione's bedside, the doors to the hospital wing burst opened, and Severus came running in.

"Mione! Lily said you were up here; what's wrong?"

"Nothing, just a stomach ache."

"She'll be okay with some rest," Madam Pomfrey said from across the room.

"I'm fine, really, Severus."

"I'm staying here with you. Do you want anything?"

"Just to be able to close my eyes."

Severus pulled a chair up to the bed and, holding her hand, watched her fall asleep.

When she woke, she was surprised to see Severus still next to her in the chair. He had curled up in a small ball and laid his robe over him to keep warm. Madam Pomfrey never let visitors stay overnight when Hermione knew her in the future, but clearly, she had a soft spot for Severus. He must have heard her moving around, because he started stirring in the chair.

She loved the way his hair had draped over his face; to her he looked like a sleeping dark angel. "Morning, my love," she said quietly.

"Mmm. I could get used to waking up with you. Are you ready to leave?"

She grinned. "Yes."

He stood up. "I'll go and let Madam Pomfrey know; she'll want to do another check up on you before you leave."

After leaving the hospital wing, Severus walked her back up to the seventh floor. "I'm going to go shower; I'll see you in class later today."

"Thank you for staying with me all night."

"My pleasure. I wasn't going to leave you; I never will. You do know that I will always be here for you, right?"

"Yes, Severus, I know. I love you." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and started to walk off.

"It's January ninth," he said before she got too far.

She turned around. "Yes, it is."

"Today is my eighteenth birthday."

"Severus!" She ran over to him. "I didn't know! Happy birthday!" She started peppering his face with small kisses.

"What would you like to do tonight? We have classes all day, but let's do something special...anything you want! Just tell me."

"Anything?"

She saw his little smirk. "Within reason."

He leaned over and whispered something in her ear. "Okay," she said.

"Yes?" he asked, looking surprised.

"Yes, meet me at the boathouse before dinner."

She walked into her dorm and down to the bathrooms and started getting ready for the day.

Okay, think, Hermione. Each time you got sick, you were attempting to tell the person something about their future, but they didn't hear you. Instead, you sped up in time. The second time, when you really tried to focus on stopping it, you could. So what does this mean? Err. You have to test this again, but not tonight. Tonight is all about Severus.

---

"Did you hear the news?" James asked her when she walked into the Greenhouse.

"No, what news?"

"Apparition testing will start at the end of the month. A few classes, and we can get our license! As long as you are of age."

"Oh, wonderful. I'll be sure to sign up." Shite. I already have my license.

"See, last year, they changed the dates, so we all missed the cutoff. So, we are pretty excited," James explained.

"Did you tell her?" Sirius said, coming up from behind her.

"Yeah, she knows; she's going to sign up with us," James said.

"Brilliant. Now if we could only get our other license." Sirius winked at him.

"No, that wouldn't be a good idea." Hermione blurted out. She knew if Sirius were a registered Animagus, he would never be able to break out of Azkaban in later years.

James and Sirius just stared at her. Hermione froze, hoping they hadn't heard her.

"Come again?"

"Hmm?" she said, trying to look disinterested.

"What wouldn't be a good idea?"

"Oh, look. We are going to be planting in the garden today," she said, changing the subject.

Sirius walked over to where Remus was standing with Lily and grabbed him while James guided Hermione out of the Greenhouse.

"Come on, we need to talk," James said.

SHITE! SHITE! SHITE! You're such a blabbermouth!

"What's going on?" Remus asked. They were in a corner on the outside of the greenhouse. Sirius cast a silencing spell around them.

"I think our little secret is known to a certain transfer student," James told Remus.

"Mione, explain," Sirius demanded.

"Alright! I know and have for a long time. I swear, I haven't told anyone!"

"How did you find out? And how much do you know?"

She took a deep breath and pointed from Remus to Sirius and then James. "Werewolf, dog, stag, and the other one is a rat."

"OH, BLOODY HELL!"

"How?"

"I'm not stupid. I noticed when you were getting sick, Remus. And the rest, I saw you one night," she said.

"We have to be more careful!" James said.

"Look, just to warn you; Snape knows about Remus' furry problem, but he doesn't know about the rest of us," Sirius said.

"I promise, your secret is safe."

"So, what did you mean it wouldn't be a good idea to get our license for it?" James asked.

"Oh, something like being able to change into an animal any time you want...well, I would keep that a secret. Not many people can do that, you know, so the Ministry would have strong tabs on you."

"Here comes the professor. We have your word?" James said quickly.

"Yes, James, you do. No worries."

"Thanks."

Okay, so why was I able to speak freely about this and not go forward in time? What was the difference? Ahh... because I wasn't trying to tell them something about their future...they are Animagi now, in the past!

---

Hermione made it to the boathouse first. She had packed a light dinner for them and was waiting in the boat when Severus came around the corner.

"Sorry, I'm late. Our etiquette class with Lucius Malfoy ran late."

"Malfoy," she snarled out of the side of her mouth.

"Did you say something?" he asked her while getting in the boat.

"Nope. Take us back to that lovely spot, would you?" she asked him.

With a lurch of the boat, they were off. It was still very cold out, so Hermione placed a warming charm around the boat. When they'd reached the shore, she slipped a few times while walking up the hill, but Severus never let her fall completely. When they reached the top, she melted the snow, laid down the blanket and put a warming charm around their area.

"Hungry?" she said while opening the basket.

"Yes, but not for food." He leaned over her body and pushed her backwards onto the blanket, slowly sliding his hand up her shirt.

"Mmm, Severus, it's been a while."

"Yes, too long, actually."

He nibbled on her neck and pulled her skirt up.

"Hey, I thought it was your birthday! Roll over."

Severus grinned and lay down on the blanket. He put his arms behind his head as Hermione straddled his legs and started unbuttoning his trousers. She slipped his pants and under shorts over his hips, revealing his hardened cock. Pre cum was already forming on his tip, and Hermione gently licked it up. She grasped his balls and circled her tongue around his shaft, making him moan with pleasure. Then she went for it. She opened her mouth wide and let it slide to the back of her throat. She made sure her lips were over her teeth so that she didn't scrape him, and started bobbing up and down.

"OH, YES, MIONE!"

Her other hand grasped his dick and moved in motion with her mouth. Then she let her hand massage him while she suckled on his balls. He wrapped his fingers in her hair and pushed his hips into her. She returned her mouth to his cock, moving faster and faster up and down his length.

"Stop, stop!" He pulled her off his shaft.

"What's wrong?"

"Let me inside of you; I'm going to cum. Hurry up, woman! Sit on me!"

Hermione quickly pushed her knickers down and lowered herself onto him. He found her clit and started circling it hard and fast. She rocked forward with her hips and placed her hands on his shoulders.

"Mmm, Severus!"

"Oh yes! I love the way you feel around me!" He screamed as they rocked with each other. "I CAN'T HOLD OFF... OH, GODS!" He erupted inside of her, but kept moving his fingers, bringing Hermione along with him.

She panted harder and ground into him one last time and then let her own ecstasy take over her body.

"How did you like your birthday gift?" she asked, rolling off of him and snuggling next to him after her sexual high had slowed down.

"Wonderful. I didn't gag you?"

"Yes, but I don't care; I enjoy making you feel good."

"Thank you. This has been the best birthday ever."

"Good. Are you hungry now?" She giggled.

"Yes, feed me."

---

Hermione was nervous about doing the Apparation classes. She already knew how to Apparate, and there was no way to fake not knowing how without Splinching yourself. The classes were in the same format as the one she'd had in the future, and on the first attempt, she Apparated perfectly into her circle; her friends bombarded her with questions after class. Then, she was called to the Headmaster's office that day.

"Miss Jean, I asked you here because it seems you already know how to Appparate; I wasn't aware that the French taught this at a younger age than we do?"

"Yes, well, I think I may have been an exception."

"Clearly," Dumbledore said from across his desk. "You are quite the witch. From what I understand, you figured out a secret about one of our students."

"Simple deduction, sir."

"Apparently. Well, we can do this one of two ways; you can continue your Apparation classes with your friends, or I can hand you a license right now."

"I'll take the license. I don't think people will be able to concentrate with me around."

"Good idea. Anything else on your mind?" He looked at her over his glasses. She knew how he worked.

"Not at this time, sir," she said, avoiding his gaze.

"Very well. Back to class with you. And I do trust you will... keep things to yourself?"

"Absolutely."

---

"Gather around. The magic is ready," Dumbledore said to the people in his office. He walked over to a large, clear glass bowl, and the others lined up next to it.

"The reason it has taken four days to prepare is because I have had to cast spells and enchantments across the entire grounds as well as surrounding areas such as Hogsmeade. It was a long and difficult process, but it will help locate her aura."

"Her aura, sir?" Harry asked.

"Yes. This magic will let us know if she is indeed on the grounds or outlying areas. If not, then we will not waste anymore time looking for her here."

"But according to the map, she isn't here," Harry said.

"Yes, Remus showed me the map, and as wonderful as it is, it doesn't show everywhere, including the surrounding areas," Dumbledore explained.

Dumbledore started chanting in ancient Latin, moving his wand over the glass bowl. Fog started swishing in the bowl, and then it disappeared, revealing an aerial view of Hogwarts: the forests, the lake and the areas all the way down to the small town. He started chanting again, and a pale purple, foggy substance started flowing over a small hill that was across the castle and lake. Dumbledore was quiet.

"Is that her?" Lupin asked.

"I'm... not sure," Dumbledore said.

"Oh, great, she's lying dead on some hill! We never checked there!" Ron exclaimed.

"No, she isn't dead. Watch." Dumbledore did another chant, and the purple fog disappeared. A pure white fog seeped from a window in the Great Hall. "That aura is Nearly Headless Nick--see how his is pure white? That indicates a soul that has passed on. But--" Dumbledore started chanting again, and this time a solid yellow came out of a tower. "This is my own aura; you can see how solid the color is; it's not pale and foggy like Hermione's, which is in between being solid and ghostly white."

"So, she must be on that hill dying as we speak!" Harry shouted.

Before anyone could answer, a silky deep voice came from behind them. "She isn't dying."

Everyone turned around. "Severus!" shouted Professor McGonagall.

They rushed over to the hurt man. His lip was split open, and he was bleeding through gashes in his robes.

"GET POPPY!" McGonagall yelled at Remus.

Arthur and Mad-Eye helped him into a chair.

"Severus, what happened?" Dumbledore asked.

"I was summoned. He punished me for not being able to give him more information. Then, we attacked different Muggles. When I refused to participate in their disgusting games, I was beaten."

"I thought he didn't make you... rape and torture others," Dumbledore said quietly.

Molly and Tonks gasped.

"I've never had to. I've been lucky to get around it. But this time, he said that I have not been acting like a loyal servant and as my punishment I was to partake in the activities. But, thankfully, I was able to get out of it again," he said quickly.

"How?' growled Moody.

"I'm sorry, Headmaster--" Snape began.

"Severus, what did you have to promise him?" Dumbledore asked.

"That I would deliver Potter by the end of the week."

"WHAT?" yelled Harry.

The room was suddenly noisy with everyone's opinion.

"Silence!" Dumbledore said loudly.

Harry was fuming.

"Look, we knew you were going to have to face him sooner or later, Harry. This is actually a good thing. If Severus is the one to take you in front of him, we will be the ones in control. We will create a plan. Remember, Harry, Voldemort doesn't know that Severus is on our side."

"Fine," Harry said angrily, though it was clear that he did not think it was fine.

"Oh, Severus! You poor boy!" Madam Pomfrey said as she came out of the Floo. She held several bottles of healing potion and started pouring them down his throat.

"Thank you, Poppy."

"You had me worried this time, young man! You've been gone for four days!"

"Speaking of being gone for four days, what were you saying about Hermione?" Remus asked.

All eyes turned to Severus.

"She isn't dead."

There was silence throughout the room.

"She's here at Hogwarts. Twenty years into the past."

"Excuse me--"

"WHAT?"

"Merlin's Beard!"

"Explain yourself, Severus," Dumbledore said sternly.

"It's a long story, but basically, she has a Time-Turner and went back to the past." He looked at Remus. "Do you remember a Mione Jean in our seventh year?"

Lupin's face absorbed what Snape was saying. "No... It couldn't be..."

"Yes. Mione is Hermione."

"I should have known! I always thought she looked familiar to me!" Lupin put his hands to his forehead.

"What's going on?" Harry shouted.

"I thought something was suspicious about Mione Jean," Dumbledore said.

"Hermione's at school with my parents?" Harry said.

"Yes, Potter. She was there for seven months. I have no idea when she will be retuning to the future."

"How do you even know she returns?" Harry yelled.

"I JUST DO!" Severus screamed back.

"Severus, Harry, please calm down. We will discuss this later; right now we need to worry about the war, and when Miss Granger returns, we will make sure she is healthy and safe--we will get into questions later!" Dumbledore said.

After the meeting, Snape followed Madam Pomfrey to the hospital wing.

"So, this explains quite a bit," she said as he lay down on the bed.

"Please, Poppy, not now."

"Don't 'not now' me, young man; I've always been on your side, and I want an explanation."

"Fine. Obviously, I didn't know who she was back then."

"And when she disappeared?'

"You were there. Everyone searched for her. She disappeared right in front of me; I had no idea what had happened."

"Oh, Severus, dear."

"I'm sorry, Poppy. I would like to explain more, but I'm very tired and sore."

"I understand. Get some sleep. We will speak more about this later."

---

"What are you doing hanging around here like a stray puppy, Snivellus?" Sirius said. He had just left the portrait hole when he saw the taller boy sitting on the floor across from the entrance to Gryffindor common room.

"I'm waiting for my girlfriend, Black. Bugger off."

Sirius walked over to him and looked down at Snape. "Why don't you give her some room to breathe instead of hovering around her all of the time?"

Snape jumped to his feet; they were now nose to nose.

"Why don't you mind your own business, Black, before you find yourself crying out in pain?"

"You're the one who is going to get hurt! She's just with you out of pity!"

Snape reached for his wand at the same time that Sirius reached for his.

"STOP IT!" Hermione yelled from the portrait hole.

"Stop it! Sirius, Severus lower your wands! Now, what's the problem?"

"Nothing," they both said.

"Sirius, James is looking for you. Severus, let's go."

Hermione tugged on Severus' wand arm and pulled him toward the stairs.

"I thought you two were going to stop fighting--for my sake?"

"I never said that." He smirked.

Hermione quickly changed the subject, not wanting to put Severus in a bad mood. "They're having a weekend at Hogsmeade for Valentine's Day. I know you don't want to go, so we should think of something else to do," she said.

"We'll go. If that's what you want."

"But, what about Sirius and James?"

"I'm not going to hide from them anymore. I want to take my girlfriend out and show her off. So, we'll go."

She squeezed his waist. "Oh, Severus! Thank you."

---

It wasn't Sirius or James that was the problem during their trip to Hogsmeade. In fact, with Lily around, the boys were actually somewhat decent to Severus. Although he despised hanging out with them, he did it for Mione's sake. No, it was another person who made an appearance in Hogsmeade that caused a ruckus.

Severus and Hermione had joined her friends in the Three Broomsticks when Lucius Malfoy walked through the door. Hermione had spotted him waltzing in, and her hatred blinded her.

Ignoring her surroundings, Hermione had fixed her gaze on the handsome man who was walking over to their table.

"Severus. Associating with Gryffindors?" Lucius whispered to Snape.

"I'll be right back," Severus said to Hermione.

She watched as her boyfriend followed the suave young man outside.

"James, I know you have your cloak--can I borrow it?" Hermione whispered.

"Sure, what's up?" He pulled his cloak out of a small bag that Lily was carrying.

"I don't trust Malfoy."

"No need to say anything else." He handed her the cloak, and Hermione slipped underneath it and walked out of the pub.

"Your girlfriend?" she heard Lucius say as she walked over to the side of the building.

"Yes."

"Is she a pure-blood?"

"I don't think so."

"Hmmm. As long as she isn't a Mudblood. Look, the reason I brought you out here is to tell you that next month we are going to have a meeting. Are you in or out?"

"I don't know, Lucius. Now, that I'm with Mione, I-"

"You're going to let her sway your mind? Do you think I let Narcissa influence mine? You're the man! Put your foot down. If you want to join us, then do so. Having a girlfriend won't affect anything."

Hermione didn't need to hear anymore. Don't you try to get him to join you and Voldemort, you bastard!

A flash of red light shot out of her wand, and Lucius toppled over, but wasn't completely stunned. She hadn't been practicing her non-verbal magic and was rusty.

"WHAT THE HELL?" Severus yelled, spinning around looking for the source of the spell.

Hermione jumped on Lucius and started hitting him. Severus watched in confusion as an unknown entity beat his friend. Lucius was able to push her off of him, making her stumble backwards; the cloak slipped off her.

"MIONE! What are you doing?" Snape yelled.

"LEAVE HIM ALONE, YOU RICH BASTARD!"

"MIONE!" Severus was struggling with her as she tried swinging her arms and legs to hit Lucius again. He slipped his hand over her mouth and muffled her shouting.

"Like I said, you're the man--deal with her." Lucius wiped the blood from his lip and glared at Hermione, then walked off.

"ARE YOU GOING TO CALM DOWN?" Severus shouted.

She was breathing hard, anger flaring, but she nodded and stopped struggling. He grabbed her shoulders and whipped her around to face him.

"What the hell were you thinking?"

"Don't listen to him, Severus! Please!" she said, tears starting to swell in her eyes.

"Why not?" he said, shaking her roughly.

Suddenly, they heard a voice from behind where they were standing.

"Impedimenta!"

Severus was pushed away from Hermione, and the force of the spell knocked her to the ground.

"JAMES, STOP!" Hermione yelled as she saw her friend pointing his wand directly at Severus.

Lily and Remus rushed over to Hermione and helped her up.

"We heard screaming--what's happening?" Sirius said.

"Ask Mione! She's the one attacking Lucius Malfoy!" Severus yelled from the ground.

"What! Why?" Lily said.

Tears were falling from her eyes now. "Because he's an evil person!"

"You don't even know him, Mione!" Severus yelled.

"YES, I DO! PLEASE, SEVERUS--STAY AWAY FROM HIM!"

"GIVE ME A REASON!"

"I... I... can't!" She freed herself from Lily's arms and started running off, back toward the school, wiping the tears from her face.

"I'll go after her," Lily said.

"No. She's my girlfriend. I'll go," Severus said, standing to his feet.

"Why don't you let her be by herself for a while, until she calms down?" Remus suggested.

"No, I don't want her to think I won't chase after her, because I will." Severus started going toward the same direction Hermione had headed. He followed her footprints in the snow, but by the time he reached the castle, she was nowhere in sight.

He decided to sit by the Fat Lady and either wait for her to come out of the portrait hole or go inside, but James, Sirius, Lily, Remus and Peter showed up first.

"Is she in there?" Remus asked Severus.

"I'm not a bloody Gryffindor. How am I supposed to know?" he said curtly.

"I'll go check," offered Lily.

A few minutes later, she came back through the hole, holding a large piece of parchment.

"She's not there. So, I got this. James, I hope you don't mind." She handed him the folded parchment.

"Good idea," James said.

"What's a good idea?" Severus asked.

James turned away from Severus and cast a silencing charm. "I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good," he said. He frantically searched the map for her, and after going over it three times, he muttered, "Mischief Managed." He closed the map and turned around, removing the charm.

"Well?" Sirius asked.

"What was that?" Severus said.

"Don't worry about. She's not on here. I've looked three times."

"What do you mean she's not on it?" Remus said.

"Look for yourself--she's not on it!"

"Look, tell me what's going on!" Severus demanded.

"We have a way of knowing where people are around the castle--that's all I will tell you. And apparently Mione isn't even here. Are you sure she came back?"

"YES! I followed her footprints in the snow. They led right up to the castle!"

"Well, unless she's in some secret room, we can't find her! Maybe we should go back down to Hogsmeade."

Something clicked in Severus' mind. Suddenly, he ran along the corridor, leaving the others with dumbfounded expressions on their faces, and found the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy trying to teach trolls to dance the ballet. He pictured Hermione's home and walked up and down the corridor three times. Then a door slowly appeared, and he quickly went inside.

He heard her sobs coming from above him and ran up the stairs to her bedroom. She was thrown across her bed, head buried in her pillows. He silently walked to her and placed a hand on her back. "Mione," he said in a soft whisper.

She was startled and screamed.

"It's okay... shhh." He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. "What's going on with you? Tell me."

"I can't. I just don't like him. He's going to get you in trouble."

"Mione, that's the first time you ever met him; how do you know this?"

She wiped her face and looked up into his black eyes. "Gut feeling. Please believe me."

"Okay, okay. I'll try to stay away from him. But he is the teacher for the Slytherins' etiquette class."

"I know, but just don't trust him." She knew that no matter what she said about Lucius, he was still going to end up joining them unless she found another way to stop him.

"Okay." He lifted her chin up and brought his lips to hers, then wiped away her tears.

"Your friends are worried about you; I think we need to go."

"Not yet. I need you, Severus. I need to feel you inside of me." She felt so helpless, seeing Severus' path to the Death Eaters but being unable to say anything to stop it. The only thing that could calm her now would be to feel him, still whole and unsullied, pressed against her.

"Are you sure? You've been upset--"

She kissed him passionately, taking his breath away.

"Please, Severus, touch me. Make me feel good," she moaned into his ear.

He snatched her hair and tipped her neck back and licked her from her collarbone to under her earlobe. "Is this what you wanted?" he breathed into her ear.

"Yes! Take me!"

He rolled her over onto her stomach and lay down across her back, still nuzzling her neck. He slid his hand under her skirt and pushed her stockings down, finding her warmth. She was slick already, and he slid a finger inside of her, making her moan beneath him.

"Mmm... I like that!"

Severus pulled his wet finger out of her and shoved her tights off her legs, spreading her thighs wide. He pulled his hard cock out of his pants, hiked her skirt up over her bottom, and teased her opening with his tip. She carefully raised herself on her knees and pushed back into him. He sank himself into her quim, gripped her hips and drove deeply into her.

"Ahhh!" she groaned. The different position pushed him deeper into her than ever before, hitting a nerve that drove her to buck madly underneath him.

She needed him. She wanted him. She wanted to be one with her lover. The fierce connection she had with him nearly propelled her into her own moment of ecstasy.

She yanked up her shirt and bra, letting her breasts hang free. Severus reached around and grabbed hold of them and started gripping them while he pumped fiercely to her.

"Mione! Mione!" he chanted. The deepness inside of her consumed Severus, and he hurtled over the edge into a breathtaking orgasm.

"OH, PROFESSOR!" Hermione screamed as she peaked.

Severus fell onto her back, panting and still inside of her. Her own knees collapsed from his weight and her loss of strength.

"Pro... professor?" he said after exhaling deeply.

"What?" she said breathlessly.

"You said, oh, Professor!"

"Did I? Sorry." Way to go!

"You aren't dreaming of anyone else, are you?"

"No. I just... had this strange image of you taking me like you just did over a lab table in the Potions classroom."

"Really? Sounds interesting--"

"I'm having a hard time breathing--" she said, trying to ignore what she had so stupidly said aloud.

"Oh, sorry," he said, rolling off of her and onto his own back. He wasn't too satisfied by her story, but he pulled her into his arms anyway, where they held each other for a while.

---

"What's the plan?" Harry asked. He was standing in Dumbledore's office along with the rest of the Order and Aurors.

"Well, it's not quite the end of the week. If I can take you into his service earlier, all the better. I want this done and over with before Miss Granger returns."

"Are you going to explain more about that situation or not?" Ron asked Snape.

"I'll explain everything when she returns--until then, stop asking me about it, Mr. Weasley."

"Settle down. Harry, you and Severus are going to go before Voldemort. I'm going to give you my wand--use it against him. He will be expecting Priori Incantatem. You are going to have to use the Killing Curse, Harry. I'm sorry, but we have no other way," Dumbledore explained.

"Yes, sir, but I didn't think I was powerful enough for that."

"You're not. That's why I spent my entire summer coming up with a potion that will help you cast an Unforgivable Curse while keeping your soul intact. It won't do all the work for you; you will still need to reach deep down in yourself to find the hatred you have for him, and just kill him!" Severus lectured.

"Severus... I trust Harry; he can do this. We will put a locating charm on you, Harry, and we will be right behind you the entire time," Dumbledore said.

"Yes, sir. A potion? Is that why Hermione helped you all summer?"

"Yes, we both created it."

"She really is a brilliant witch."

"Indeed."

"So, when should we do this?"

"Tomorrow," Severus said.

---

"Well, it's official! We are all able to Apparate!" Lily said as she entered the common room. The end of March was here, and spring break was approaching soon. Hermione and Severus hadn't brought up the event in Hogsmeade again, and they continued with their usual routine of meeting each other at night to eat dinner and study. When her friends were at Apparition class, Hermione would use that time for more intimate moments with Severus.

"Oh, good!" Hermione said, rising from her cozy chair. "Where are the boys?"

"They are going to grab a snack, then go out to the Quidditch Pitch. Where's Severus?"

"Oh, it's one of those nights for the Slytherin guys."

"Ah."

"Hey, Lily, I need to ask you something," Hermione said, walking over to the table where Lily was sitting.

"Sure."

"I wanted to ask you about Peter."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Um... Why do you guys like him?"

Lily chuckled. "Well, he's harmless. He follows the boys around; I guess they took pity on him. You know how they like to have an audience. I did notice that you don't like him too much."

"No, I don't. Do you trust him?"

"Yeah. Why?

"Well, I just get the feeling that he isn't trustworthy. I wanted to tell you that, just in case... sometime in the future--"

She started swirling around again. STOP!

"Hello? Why?" Hermione heard Lily saying as the spinning stopped. She didn't notice that anything happened.

"Umm... I don't know--just a feeling, I guess."

"Oh. Well, just give him a chance. So, do you want to go down to the pitch and watch them?"

"Yes, let's go."

So, it's true; the minute I intentionally try to tell them about their future, I speed up in time... What's going on? It's like this Time-Turner won't let me speak the truth. I wonder how far I could go into the future if I kept talking.

Hermione turned the corner to walk out to the stadium and ran into a wall.

"Severus! I thought you had your class tonight!"

"I did; it's over. Join me for the evening," he said shortly.

"It's okay, Mione; I'll meet up with you later!" Lily said as she continued to walk.

"Where are we going? What's wrong?" she asked him.

"I'm working on an extra credit project, and I could use your assistance."

"Really? On what?"

"You'll see when we get to the lab."

They walked down to the potions lab, and Severus started gathering supplies while Hermione sat on the stool and watched. He brought over some long plant stems and a small knife and sat them on the table in front of her.

"Make yourself useful, my love. I need these finely sliced."

She picked up the knife and started splitting the stems down the center. She made her first slice and was anxious; she hadn't worked side by side him with potions since that summer after her sixth year.

"Chop the roots finely. Slow down. Here, let me show you!" He was being his usual strict self, something she was used to. He placed his hand over hers and guided her on how to properly cut the roots the way he wanted.

Hermione was extremely nervous; he never touched her, or anyone else, when teaching. She hoped he hadn't noticed her shaking hands, but he had. He quickly pulled away from her and handed her the knife.

"Well, that's how you do it."

"Yes, sir." She could tell he was tense. She wondered why; he was the secretive spy; what could she ever do to make him nervous?

"How's this, Professor?" She showed him the newly chopped roots.

He quickly glanced at them, "Much better."

"How does this look, Severus?" She showed him the sliced stems.

"Perfect. Just like you."

She grinned. "Anything else?"

"Yes." He handed her more plants and gave her similar instructions.

"So, what are you making?"

"It's a derivative of a healing potion. I'm taking the properties and mixing them with a new magical herb. If my calculations are correct, the potion will be much stronger and help heal internal wounds quicker."

"Wow, Severus! I'm impressed."

He grinned at her.

"No wonder you're the best Potions master and third most powerful wizard in the world," she muttered under her breath. "So, this is for Madam Pomfrey?" she asked.

Potions master? Third most powerful wizard? What in the world is she talking about?

"It's for her, isn't it, Severus?" she asked again.

"Yes. If it works, she'll be able to give me recommendations on my transcripts. Since she isn't officially a teacher, I would need to do something pretty big for her to be able to do that, so this is what I came up with. The Ministry approved it, so here we are. I wanted your help because it is going to take all night, and I don't like being away from you more than I have to, so you're spending it here with me."

"Thanks for asking."

He stopped pulling his equipment out and faced her. "I'm sorry, Mione. Would you please--"

"Of course, silly! I love being with you." She giggled.

The potion took hours for him to complete. It was well after curfew before they snuck back off to bed.

The next day, Hermione went with Severus to turn his potion in to Madam Pomfrey, who happily handed him a general letter of recommendation.

After several minutes of talking with the matron, they walked up to the Astronomy Tower. They had had a long night and wanted to sit back and relax before they had to go to their separate afternoon classes.

Hermione decided to try her Time-Turner again. "So, what are you going to do after leaving Hogwarts?" she asked him.

They were sitting on a bench looking over the grounds. Then, he put his arm around her.

"That depends."

"On what?" she asked.

"You," he said plainly.

She turned to him, "Me?"

"Yes."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I've been asked to do several things, but I will only do the one that coincides with whatever you are going to do. Like I said before, I don't like being away from you for too long; especially if you become my wife."

He finally looked her in the eyes.

"Your wife? Really?"

"I know it may be too soon, but honestly, we are made for each other, and I don't ever want to take another lover. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I love you, so yes... I want you as my wife." He reached down into his pocket and pulled out a ring. "Marry me, Mione. Be mine forever."

Hermione was stunned. She couldn't breathe; she wasn't expecting this. All she could do was jump into his arms and kiss him with all her might.

"Well?" he said after she released his lips.

"Yes! Of course! Oh, Severus... I love you so much!"

Smiling, he pulled her left hand into his lap and slipped the ring onto her finger.

"This is another antique. It's platinum, and the Latin inscription is a special enchantment that will help protect you and keep you safe. This is a princess cut with a pink diamond--"

"Severus... how did you afford this?"

"It was my surrogate mother's grandmother's ring."

"Your surrogate mother? Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione said surprised.

"Yes. She looks after me like a son, as she never had any children. My family and I... Well, she's more my family than any blood relatives. Anyway, she knew that I wanted to marry you, so she let me have this."

"Oh, Severus! It's beautiful!"

"You're beautiful. You've made me very happy. I can't wait to tell her."

"Me neither. So, now that you know I want to be your wife, what do you plan on doing after Hogwarts?"

"No clue. I just said that to set up my proposal." He chuckled.

She punched him in the arm.

After dinner that night, Severus took Hermione up to the hospital wing.

"What happened this time, dear?" Madam Pomfrey said when she saw Severus walking into the room.

"Nothing. She said yes," Severus said, motioning toward Hermione.

Madam Pomfrey stopped what she was doing and froze. "Really?"

Severus smiled and lifted Hermione's left hand, showing off the ring.

"Oh! My sweet boy! Mione, dear, you have made him so happy!" Madam Pomfrey rushed over to the two of them and locked them both in a deep hug. "Let me see the ring again! He told you it was my grandmother's?"

"Yes, and thank you so much. I love it!"

"Well, it's a bit loose, but Severus can take you down to the jeweler and have it sized to fit you perfectly--won't you, dear?"

"Yes, as soon as we get a chance to get to Hogsmeade," Severus assured her.

"Well, I'm so excited. Now, you both must decide what you are going to do about your future!"

"We know," Severus said. "Well, we've got some studying to do, but we wanted you to be the first to know."

"Thank you, dear. You two lovebirds go have a nice night!" She gave them one last hug and then let them leave.

---

"ENGAGED! TO SNAPE?" Sirius bellowed.

"That's wonderful!" Lily said.

"WONDERFUL?" James screamed.

"YES, WONDERFUL!" Remus and Lily both said.

"Remus?" Sirius said, shocked.

"James, Sirius--he makes her happy. Can't you tell? Ever since they started dating, he hasn't done anything to harm her!" Remus replied.

Hermione was watching her friends bicker back and forth on her behalf. James and Sirius' reactions were the same as Harry and Ron's would have been. At this moment, she felt like she was back in her own time and was secretly enjoying it.

"They're too young!" James said.

"Too young! You already asked me to marry you, James Potter! We're all the same age!" Lily screamed at James.

"Okay, okay. Mione, as long as you're happy, we will be supportive. Sirius and I are just... surprised," James said calmly after Lily had given him the evil glare.

"It's okay; I figured you guys would be shocked," Hermione said while suppressing her laughter.

"Congratulations, Mione." Peter squeaked.

"Um... Thanks, Peter."

"Well. Both the ladies in my life are getting married! This is going to be one interesting summer!" Sirius said.

Lily and Hermione giggled.

"Now, wait a minute--Lily and I decided to wait at least a year after we graduate!" James said with a look of panic on his face.

"Ah, that's right. So, when do you and Severus plan on getting married?" Sirius asked Hermione.

"The sooner, the better."

"Well, we are all happy for you, Mione." Remus walked over to her and gave her a hug. "I'll be right back."

Remus walked out of the door. Severus was on the outside waiting, like usual.

"Lupin."

"Severus. The person I came to see."

"Oh."

Remus held out his hand. "Thank you for making her happy. Congratulations."

Severus took his hand. "Thanks," he muttered.

---

That night Hermione could not sleep. She tossed and turned, thinking about what she had done.

Oh, Hermione, you've really let your emotions get the best of you! What's going to happen when you go back to the future? How is he going to take it? SHITE! Okay, you have to end this. But you can't hurt him.

She remembered the conversation they had back during the time when she was working with him on the potion; he had said something about why he joined the Death Eaters.

The potion was brewing, and Hermione was trying to read one of the new books she had bought, but her attention kept going over to what Snape was doing. He was flipping the pages in another new book, but she could tell he wasn't reading it.

"Yes, Miss Granger?"

"Nothing, sir."

"I know something's on your mind; you can't hide that from me."

"Well, it's just... really... quiet in here."

"I figured you would enjoy that. Silence is bliss."

"Well, usually, yes. But... never mind."

"Go on. I'm listening."

"Well, I don't know... I was just wondering..."

"--about my time as a Death Eater?"

"Yes! And other things."

"Why do you care? Besides being a nosy little girl."

"You're right; I'm sorry. It's none of my business." She looked down at her book. She could feel him eyeing her and shivers ran up her spine.

"Anything we say or do will not leave this room, understand?" he said after a moment of silence.

She looked back at him. He had closed the book and placed it in his lap.

"Yes, sir."

"I joined them shortly after I graduated from Hogwarts. I wasn't going to, but something happened at the end of my seventh year that changed my mind.

"Then, when I found out that the Dark Lord was going to kill Potter and Lily, I warned Dumbledore. After he killed them, I realized the mistake I had made and vowed to bring him down. So, I was hired as the Potions master."

She wasn't expecting him to open up like he did--he was such a private man--but she listened closely.

"May I ask what changed your mind?"

"You may, and I will tell you one day, I promise, but not today. Just know that something was taken away from me, and I wasn't too happy about it."

"I'm surprised you're telling me this to begin with; I know how you value your privacy, but thank you."

"I have a reason for trusting in you. But again, I will tell you one day."

She didn't know what he meant by that, but he had a genuine smile across his face.

He must have seen her concern and continued, "All will be revealed after the war. Right now, it's not safe to know all of the answers."

"Yes, sir. But please continue. From what Harry tells me, you hated his father, Sirius and Professor Lupin."

"Hate is a strong word. But at first, yes, I did hate them. However, during my seventh year, it diminished to more like... a strong dislike for them. The relationship could be described like the one between Mister Malfoy and Potter."

"I see. Harry doesn't hate Draco, but he doesn't like him either."

"Exactly. Remus is a different story though. He was a bit more... manageable than Potter and Black."

"Is that why you brew the Wolfsbane Potion for him?"

"Yes. He doesn't deserve the life that was given him. Although, I don't hold him completely blameless for things either. Enough about me for right now. What about you, Miss Granger? What are you planning after your seventh year?"

"Oh. Well, I would like to apprentice in something; I'm not sure what yet. Maybe continue my education at a Muggle university. Actually, I haven't given it much thought because of this war."

"Whatever you decide, I'm sure you will be more than adequate."

She blushed.

"Time to check our potion." He rose out of his chair and walked to the lab table.

After considering the memory, she now knew why he had joined the Death Eaters.

It was me that was taken away from him in his seventh year! I must have broken up with him, and he never got over it. Okay, so breaking his heart is out of the question. Just live your life, Hermione, now in the present--the past--whatever! ERR!! I'll just have to explain who I really am--maybe if I wrote it in a letter, the Time-Turner wouldn't activate. Or, maybe I should tell him without wearing the stupid thing! Yes, that's it! I'll try that! Okay, do it soon, Granger; after spring break!

---

A million thanks to my beta, Lariope.